Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Become an expert in managing care for acutely ill, traumatically injured, and chronically complex patients in both hospital and outpatient settings. 

About the Program

Acute care is determined by patient needs, not the provider’s workplace.

Through this top ranked program, we prepare acute care nurse practitioners to manage the care of acutely ill, traumatically injured, and chronically complex patients. Graduates gain expertise across the continuum of acute care services, wherever acutely ill or medically complex patients are found, and are prepared for, among other things:

  • Physical assessments
  • Complex clinical decision-making
  • Diagnostics and therapeutic interpretation
  • Performing advanced procedures

A hands-on approach through clinical experience.

Penn Nursing does the legwork to match you with a preceptor within various acuity levels ranging from intensive care to ambulatory specialty care clinics. Our extensive network of preceptors, made up of acute care nurse practitioners, physicians, and collaborative teams, works closely with clinical faculty to provide hands-on experience and application of newly acquired skills. Clinical practice opportunities cover various specialties, including:

  • General and specialty surgery (i.e. neurosurgery)
  • Hospitalist medicine
  • Specialty medicine (i.e. cardiology)
  • Oncology
  • Critical care
  • Trauma care
  • Palliative care

For information regarding Penn Nursing accreditation, please visit our Accreditation page.

Program Information

Full-Time

Program Length

15 months

Financial aid available?

Yes

Start Semester

Summer

Learning Format

In-person *

Although this program is in-person, to accommodate the busy schedules of our students some courses will be offered in an online or hybrid format. Clinical placements are in person and arranged not only within the Penn network, but also within other leading local and mid-Atlantic health care systems. 
Part-Time 2 years

Program Length

2 years

Financial aid available?

Yes

Start Semester

Year-round

Learning Format

In-person *

Although this program is in-person, to accommodate the busy schedules of our students some courses will be offered in an online or hybrid format. Clinical placements are in person and arranged not only within the Penn network, but also within other leading local and mid-Atlantic health care systems. 
Part-Time 3 years

Program Length

3 years

Financial aid available?

Yes

Start Semester

Year-round

Learning Format

In-person *

Although this program is in-person, to accommodate the busy schedules of our students some courses will be offered in an online or hybrid format. Clinical placements are in person and arranged not only within the Penn network, but also within other leading local and mid-Atlantic health care systems. 

Program Details

Curriculum

The program follows a curriculum that includes theoretical content and mentored clinical experience that emphasizes research and holistic patient care within a collaborative team approach. Our program’s plan of study consists of 12 courses including the 3 P’s (Pathophysiology, Physical Assessment, and Pharmacology), 3 acute care diagnosis and management courses, a technology course, an advanced research course, and a year long clinical sequence (3 courses). Students can explore an area of interest through an elective or a 3-4 course minors, such as oncology, palliative care, global health, and more.

Students can complete the program as a full-time student in 15 months or part-time over two to three years. We are committed to a individualized graduate program with personalized attention and accessible in-person faculty. 

Click the link below to view the curriculum and plans of study for this program in the University catalog.

View curriculum and plans of study

Requirements

Minimum qualifications for the program

BSN degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher

Prerequisites

College level statistics course

Licensure

RN

Experience

Minimum of 1 year work experience, off probation, caring for acutely ill, critically ill, or medically complex patients

Application Deadlines

Full-time Enrollment

Priority Deadline: November 4, 2024
Decision Notification: early-February

Final Deadline: February 3, 2025
Decision Notification: late-March

Part-time Enrollment

Spring 2025 Enrollment

Summer 2025 Enrollment

Fall 2025 Enrollment

Deadline: October 15, 2024
Decision Notification: late-December

Deadline: March 15, 2025
Decision Notification: late-April

Deadline: April 1, 2025
Decision Notification: mid-May

*Dates subject to change without notice.

Costs & Tuition

Discount available for employees of our Academic Practice Partners. Click here to learn more.

Total Estimated Cost (12 CUs starting in 2024)

Full-time: $86,636
Part-time, 2 years: $87,317
Part-time, 3 years: $90,683

Your program costs will depend on your individual plan of study. Tuition is charged per CU based on your enrollment for the semester.

 

Summer 2024

Per CU rate*

Fall 2024 or Spring 2025

Per CU rate**

Fall 2024 or Spring 2025

Full-time***

Tuition $6,640 $6,640 $26,428
General Fee $492 $492 $1,977
Tech Fee None $120 $459
Clinical Fee None None $358

*Summer semesters are charged per CU regardless of enrollment status
**Registration for less than 4 CUs is charged per CU
***Registration for 4 CUs is charged the full-time rate

Tuition and fees do not represent the full cost of attendance for your program. Learn more about these expenses by visiting the University’s Student Registration & Financial Services website.

View additional program costs

Program Outcomes

At the completion of this advanced level of nursing education, Penn Nursing MSN graduates will:

  • Use scientific inquiry to translate evidence into practice and promote clinical scholarship
  • Perform advanced nursing skills for specialty and subspecialty nursing practice
  • Lead quality improvement and manage care delivery models across settings
  • Leverage strong networks to advance in professional role

These overarching outcomes for all MSN program/tracks reflect the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials.

Certification

After graduation, you’ll be prepared to sit for national certification from the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). Upon successful completion of the exam, you are eligible to become certified or licensed to practice.

Events

  

October 19 | 10:00 AM EDT

Fall 2024 Graduate Open House

Penn Nursing is leading to healthier, more equitable future.

Ready to take the next step?